The Most Holy Name of Jesus is a feast dedicated to the Lord Jesus. The name Jesus, which in Hebrew is Yeshua, was given by God the Father to His incarnate Son, born of the Virgin Mary, and it means: “God is the Savior.” Saint Paul said: “The name above every name!” (Phil 2:9). The great devotee of Jesus Christ, Saint Francis of Assisi, was sensitive to everything related to the Lord, especially to the name of Jesus. When he pronounced the name of Jesus, he did it with great zeal, and he admonished his brothers: “When you hear His Name, bow down to Him with fear and reverence with your face to the ground“. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High (Lk 1:32), who is blessed forever (Rom 1:25).
The Most Holy Name of Jesus began to be particularly venerated in liturgical celebrations from the 14th century. As a liturgical commemoration, especially within the Franciscan order, it has been celebrated since 1530. The veneration of the Most Holy Name of Jesus was promoted by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and the greatest promoters were Saint Bernardino of Siena, Saint John of Capistrano, and Saint Leonard of Port Maurice. Saint Bernardino of Siena raised a flag with the inscription IHS (the Latin abbreviation for Jesus Savior of Men), and later this emblem was carved in stone and engraved in wood. Saint Bernardino and Saint John of Capistrano carried the monogram of the Most Holy Name of Jesus with them through the towns where they preached, blessing the sick with this sign. Numerous miracles occurred, and people bowed before the sign of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Because of this, a case was even brought against Saint Bernardino before the tribunal of Pope Martin V. Saint John of Capistrano managed not only to defend Saint Bernardino in this court but also Pope Martin V himself participated in a procession in honor of the Name of Jesus. The feast of the Name of Jesus was included in the main calendar of the Church in 1721, and with the reform of Pope Pius X, it is celebrated on this day, January 3rd. Many parishes, churches, and chapels around the world and in Croatian regions are dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
